Drapery rings and system

ABSTRACT

A drapery support rod system is presented having a drapery support rod connected to a structure by a pair of brackets. Rings positioned around the drapery support rod are used to connect shade material to the drapery support rod. The rings have an upper end with an interior surface that is configured to fit closely around the exterior surface of the drapery support rod in a manner configured to facilitate smoother and quieter travel of the rings across the surface of the drapery support rod. When viewed from the sides, the rings have an oval shape that is elongated between an upper end and a lower end. The oval shape has a first diameter at the upper end and having a second diameter at the lower end that is larger than the first diameter.

PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/298,152 filed May 28, 2021 and tiled BIRDCAGE PINCH PLEAT AND RIPPLEFOLD DRAPERY ATTACHMENT SYSTEM, which is a 371 of International Application PCT/US20/50180 filed Sep. 10, 2020 and titled BIRDCAGE PINCH PLEAT AND RIPPLEFOLD DRAPERY ATTACHMENT SYSTEM, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/899,930 filed Sep. 13, 2019 and titled BIRDCAGE PINCH PLEAT AND RIPPLEFOLD DRAPERY ATTACHMENT SYSTEM, each of which is fully incorporated by reference herein along with any related applications such as continuations, continuation-in-parts, divisionals, provisionals, foreign applications, or any other related application.

This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/038,156 filed Jun. 12, 2020, and titled DRAPERY RINGS AND SYSTEM, which is fully incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to window coverings. More specifically and without limitation, this disclosure relates to drapery window coverings.

OVERVIEW OF THE DISCLOSURE

Architectural coverings, such as curtains, shades, draperies, and the like are frequently used to provide privacy as well as to limit the amount of light that is permitted to pass through a window and into a room and/or building. There are countless types, forms, and designs of architectural coverings known in the art. The term architectural covering is used to describe any and all of these types, forms, and designs including blinds, shades, draperies, and the like.

One form of architectural covering of particular interest in this application is commonly referred to as a drapery. Common components of drapery include a support rod connected at its ends to brackets and shade material connected to and hanging down from the support rod. Drapery shades can include blackout shades and shear shades, which can be independently opened and controlled by laterally sliding them along the support rod. Some drapery systems provide in motorized operation of drapery shades.

In the field of window coverings, there is a long-felt need for a motorized drapery capable of flawless, smooth, and quiet operation. Users demand flawless operation, meaning that the drapery must open and close as desired all the time. Users also desire smooth and quiet opening and closing of the shade material. In practice, it has been seen that achieving flawless operation is challenging. In practice, it has been seen that achieving flawless operation that is smooth and quiet is even more difficult. For example, it has been discovered that during operation of a drapery support rod system, rings tend to wobble and/or tilt as they move along the length of a drapery support rod. Such wobbling and tilting of rings tend to negatively affect the operation of drapery support rod system.

Noise can occur as the rings move between a normal, wobbled, and/or tilted orientations during operation. As rings wobble and/or tilt on drapery support rod, operational characteristics of drapery support rod system are affected. For instance, the amount of bind and/or friction between rings and drapery support rod tends to increase as the angle of wobbling and/or tilting increases. Such increased friction can cause increased noise, increased wear on parts of the drapery support rod system, increased current draw by a motor (which reduces battery life in battery powered arrangements), and/or failure of one or more system components. In extreme cases, excessive wobbling and/or tilting of rings can cause rings to bind, lock and/or cinch onto a drapery support rod, which can cause a full stop of the rotation of drapery support rod 20, thereby causing a full stop of the opening and/or closing of shade material 60, which is highly undesirable. Alternatively, if rings bind, lock, and/or cinch onto the drapery support rod, drapery may be wrapped around drapery support rod as it continues to rotate, which is extremely undesirable, and can even be dangerous.

Thus, it is a primary object of the disclosure to provide a drapery support rod system that improves upon the state of the art and provides superior operation by smoothing the movement of the rings across the drapery support rod.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that facilitates quiet operation.

Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that facilitates smooth operation.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that prevents and/or reduces the ability for rings to catch and/or bind on the rotating drapery support rod.

Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that reduces the level of friction between the rings and the rotating drapery support rod.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that reduces wobbling and/or tilting of rings during operation.

Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that can be manually operated as well as operated by motorization.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that can be used with any shade material.

Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that facilitates robust operation.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that helps to guide and stabilize the rings over features in the rotating drapery support rod.

Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that helps to reduce light gaps.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that is relatively inexpensive and/or affordable.

Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that has a minimum number of parts.

Another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that is easy to use.

Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a drapery support rod system that is simple in design.

These and other objects, features, and/or advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A drapery support rod system is presented having a drapery support rod extending a length from a first end to a second end. The drapery support rod is connected to a structure by a pair of brackets. The drapery support rod has a cylindrical shape with an exterior surface. Rings are positioned around the drapery support rod that are used to connect shade material to the drapery support rod. The rings have an upper end with an interior surface that is configured to fit closely around the exterior surface of the drapery support rod in a manner configured to facilitate smoother and quieter travel of the rings across the surface of the drapery support rod.

In one or more embodiments, a ring has an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end, and opposing sides. The ring has an exterior surface and an interior surface and forms hollow interior. When viewed from one of the opposing sides, the ring having an oval shape that is elongated between the upper end and the lower end. The oval shape has a first diameter at the upper end and having a second diameter at the lower end that is larger than the first diameter.

In one or more embodiments, the ring includes an exterior member and an interior member. The interior member is configured to fit around the drapery support rod and fit within the exterior member.

In one or more embodiments, the exterior member has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior member has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface of the exterior member forms the exterior surface of the ring. The interior surface of the interior member forms the interior surface of the ring. The interior surface of the exterior member is operably connected to the exterior surface of the interior member.

In one or more embodiments, the exterior member has an upper end aligned with an upper end of the interior member. The exterior member has a lower end aligned with a lower end of the interior member.

In one or more embodiments, the exterior member is formed from a first material and the interior member is formed from a second material that is different from the first material. In some embodiments, the second material is self-lubricating and the second material is non-self-lubricating. In some embodiments, the exterior member and support rod are formed from the first material. In some embodiments, the first material is a metal and the second material is a plastic.

In one or more embodiments, the ring has an attachment member. The attachment member is configured to connect with an upper edge of a shade material.

In some embodiments, the attachment member includes a loop member configured and arranged for connecting to a drapery pin. In some embodiments, the attachment member includes an adapter member configured to operably connect with the loop member.

In one or more embodiments, the adapter has a left channel and a right channel. The left channel and the right channel are configured to receive a drapery pin. When the drapery pin is positioned within the left channel the drapery pin is held in a generally left-angled alignment to the center axis of the ring. When the drapery pin is positioned within the right channel the drapery pin is held in a generally right-angled alignment to the center axis of the ring.

In one or more embodiments, the left-angled alignment is approximately forty-five degrees from the perpendicular alignment. In some embodiments, the right-angled alignment is approximately forty-five degrees from the perpendicular alignment. In some embodiments, when a pinch pleat drapery is used, the drapery pin is connected to a loop member of the ring. In some embodiments, when a ripplefold drapery is used, the drapery pin is positioned in the left channel and/or the right channel.

In one or more embodiments, the ring includes a connection member. The connection member is configured to receive a lead that is configured to space the ring from adjacent rings.

In one or more embodiments, the support rod includes a helical guide structure on the exterior surface of the support rod. An interior member of the ring includes one or more guide members configured to engage with the helical guide structure in a manner causing the ring to move a shade material laterally to a closed position in response to rotation of the support rod in a first direction and move the shade material lateral to an open position in response to rotation of the support rod in a second direction. In some embodiments, the one or more guide members include a first guide member extending from the interior surface of the internal member at the upper end of the internal member.

In some embodiments, the interior member of the ring includes a circular arm member extending from one side of upper end of the interior member around drapery support rod to the other side of upper end of the interior member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the system having a support rod with helical guides on the exterior surface, and rings and pinch pleat drapery attached thereto.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the system having a support rod with helical guides on the exterior surface, and rings and pinch pleat drapery attached thereto.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the system having a support rod with helical guides on the exterior surface, and rings and pinch pleat drapery attached thereto.

FIG. 4 shows an upper front left perspective view of a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the system having a support rod with helical guides on the exterior surface, and rings and pinch pleat drapery attached thereto.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of a section of the drapery support rod with a ring attached thereto, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the close-up view showing the ring having an attachment member and a shade connection member installed on the ring.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the system having a support rod with helical guides on the exterior surface, and rings and ripplefold drapery attached thereto.

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the system having a support rod with helical guides on the exterior surface, and rings and ripplefold drapery attached thereto.

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the system having a support rod with helical guides on the exterior surface, and rings and ripplefold drapery attached thereto.

FIG. 9 shows an upper front left perspective view of a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the system having a support rod with helical guides on the exterior surface, and rings and ripplefold drapery attached thereto.

FIG. 10 shows a close-up view of a section of the drapery support rod with a ring attached thereto in accordance with one or more arrangements, the close-up view showing the ring having an attachment member and a shade connection member installed on the ring.

FIG. 11 shows a right side view of a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 12A shows a front view of a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 12B shows a right side cross sectional view A of the ring shown in FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 shows an upper rear right perspective view of a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 14 shows a top view of the ring shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 15 shows an upper front right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 16 shows a rear view of the ring shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 17 shows a right side view of the ring shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 18 shows a front view of the ring shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 19 shows a lower rear right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 20 shows a bottom view of the ring shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 21 shows a lower front right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 22 shows an exploded lower front right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing an interior member, exterior member, and an adapter of the ring separated.

FIG. 23A shows a front view of a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing right having one guide member positioned at an upper end of the ring.

FIG. 23B shows a right side cross sectional view B of the ring shown in FIG. 23A.

FIG. 24A shows a front view of a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing right having three guide members positioned around a circular member of the ring.

FIG. 24B shows a right side cross sectional view C of the ring shown in FIG. 24A.

FIG. 25 shows an upper rear right perspective view of a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing right having three guide members positioned around a circular member of the ring.

FIG. 26 shows a top view of the ring shown in FIG. 25, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 27 shows an upper front right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 25, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 28 shows a rear view of the ring shown in FIG. 25, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 29 shows a right side view of the ring shown in FIG. 25, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 30 shows a front view of the ring shown in FIG. 25, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 31 shows a lower rear right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 25, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 32 shows a bottom view of the ring shown in FIG. 25, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 33 shows a lower front right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 25, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 34 shows an exploded lower front right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 25, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing an interior member, exterior member, and an adapter of the ring separated.

FIG. 35 shows an upper front right perspective view of an adapter for use with a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing right having three guide members positioned around a circular member of the ring.

FIG. 36 shows a top view of the adapter shown in FIG. 35, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 37 shows an upper front right perspective view of the adapter shown in FIG. 35, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 38 shows a rear view of the adapter shown in FIG. 35, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 39 shows a left side view of the adapter shown in FIG. 35, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 40 shows a front view of the adapter shown in FIG. 35, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 41 shows a lower front left perspective view of the adapter shown in FIG. 35, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 42 shows a bottom view of the adapter shown in FIG. 35, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 43 shows a lower rear left perspective view of the adapter shown in FIG. 35, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 44 shows a left side view of an adapter for use with a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 45 shows a front cross sectional view D of the adapter shown in FIG. 44, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 46 shows a front view of an adapter for use with a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 47 shows a left cross sectional view E of the adapter shown in FIG. 46, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 48 shows an upper rear right perspective view of a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing adapter of the ring omitted.

FIG. 49 shows a top view of the ring shown in FIG. 48, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 50 shows an upper front right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 48, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 51 shows a rear view of the ring shown in FIG. 48, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 52 shows a right side view of the ring shown in FIG. 48, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 53 shows a front view of the ring shown in FIG. 48, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 54 shows a lower rear right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 48, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 55 shows a bottom view of the ring shown in FIG. 48, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 56 shows a lower front right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 48, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 57 shows an upper rear right perspective view of a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the system having a support rod and rings attached thereto; the view showing a lead connected connection members of the rings.

FIG. 58 shows an upper rear right perspective view of a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the system having a support rod and rings attached thereto; the view showing a lead connected connection members of the rings; the view showing a ripplefold drapery connected to the rings.

FIG. 59 shows an upper front right perspective view of a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the ring having a hook shaped connection member configured for attachment of various sized leads.

FIG. 60 shows a right side view of the ring shown in FIG. 59, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 61 shows cross sectional view F of the ring shown in FIG. 60, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 62 shows a bottom view of the ring shown in FIG. 59, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 63 shows close up right side view of a connection member of the ring shown in FIG. 59, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 64 shown cross sectional fire G of the ring shown in FIG. 63, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 65 shows close up right side view of a connection member of the ring shown in FIG. 59, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing a larger lead having diameter D1 connected at an upper end of connection member; the view showing a smaller lead having diameter D2 connected at a lower end of connection member.

FIG. 66 shows close up rear view of a connection member of the ring shown in FIG. 59, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 67 shows a right side view of a ring shown in FIG. 59, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the ring having a hook shaped connection member configured for attachment of various sized leads.

FIG. 68 shows cross sectional view H of the ring shown in FIG. 67, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 69 shows cross sectional view I of the ring shown in FIG. 67, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 70 shows a rear view of the ring shown in FIG. 67, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 71 shows close up rear view of a connection member of the ring shown in FIG. 67, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 72 shows close up right side view of a connection member of the ring shown in FIG. 67, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 73 shows cross sectional view J of the ring shown in FIG. 72, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 74 shows cross sectional view K of the ring shown in FIG. 72, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 75 shows a right side view of a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the ring having a hook shaped connection member configured for attachment of various sized leads; the view showing a link of a lead connected in the connection member.

FIG. 76 shows close up right side view of a connection member of the ring shown in FIG. 75, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing a link of a lead connected in the connection member.

FIG. 77 shows rear right perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 75, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing a link of a lead connected in the connection member.

FIG. 78 shows close up right rear perspective view of a connection member of the ring shown in FIG. 75, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing a link of a lead connected in the connection member.

FIG. 79 shows a top view of the ring shown in FIG. 75, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing a link of a lead connected in the connection member.

FIG. 80 shows a close up top view of a connection member of the ring shown in FIG. 75, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing a link of a lead connected in the connection member.

FIG. 81 shows a lower right side perspective view of the ring shown in FIG. 75, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing a link of a lead connected in the connection member.

FIG. 82 shows a close up top view of the connection member of the ring shown in FIG. 81, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 83 shows a right side view of a ring for a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the ring having a hook shaped connection member configured for attachment of various sized leads; the view showing a link of a lead connected in the connection member; the view showing right having three guide members positioned around a circular member of the ring.

FIG. 84 shows a front view of a drapery system, in accordance with one or more arrangements; the view showing the system having a support rod with helical guides on the exterior surface and rings attached thereto.

FIG. 85 shows a rear view of the drapery system shown in FIG. 84, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 86 shows a top view of the drapery system shown in FIG. 84, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 87 shows front right perspective exploded and assembled views of a ring, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 88 shows rear left perspective exploded and assembled views of the ring shown in FIG. 87, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 89 shows front right perspective exploded and assembled views of a ring, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 90 shows rear left perspective exploded and assembled views of the ring shown in FIG. 89, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 91 shows front right perspective exploded and assembled views of a ring, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 92 shows rear left perspective exploded and assembled views of the ring shown in FIG. 91, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 93 shows front right perspective exploded and assembled views of a ring, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 94 shows rear left perspective exploded and assembled views of the ring shown in FIG. 93, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 95 shows front right perspective exploded and assembled views of a ring, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 96 shows rear left perspective exploded and assembled views of the ring shown in FIG. 95, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 97 shows front right perspective exploded and assembled views of a ring, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 98 shows rear left perspective exploded and assembled views of the ring shown in FIG. 97, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 99 shows front right perspective exploded and assembled views of a ring, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 100 shows rear left perspective exploded and assembled views of the ring shown in FIG. 99, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 101 shows front right perspective exploded and assembled views of a ring, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

FIG. 102 shows rear left perspective exploded and assembled views of the ring shown in FIG. 101, in accordance with one or more arrangements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the principles and scope of the invention. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures. For instance, although aspects and features may be illustrated in and/or described with reference to certain figures and/or embodiments, it will be appreciated that features from one figure and/or embodiment may be combined with features of another figure and/or embodiment even though the combination is not explicitly shown and/or explicitly described as a combination. In the depicted embodiments, like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various drawings.

It should be understood that any advantages and/or improvements discussed herein may not be provided by various disclosed embodiments, and/or implementations thereof. The contemplated embodiments are not so limited and should not be interpreted as being restricted to embodiments that provide such advantages and/or improvements. Similarly, it should be understood that various embodiments may not address all or any objects of the disclosure and/or objects of the invention that may be described herein. The contemplated embodiments are not so limited and should not be interpreted as being restricted to embodiments that address such objects of the disclosure and/or invention. Furthermore, although some disclosed embodiments may be described relative to specific materials, embodiments are not limited to the specific materials and/or apparatuses but only to their specific characteristics and capabilities and other materials and apparatuses can be substituted as is well understood by those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure. Moreover, although some disclosed embodiments may be described in the context of window treatments, the embodiments are not so limited. In is appreciated that the embodiments may be adapted for use in other applications which may be improved by the disclosed structures, arrangements and/or methods.

It is to be understood that the terms such as “left, right, top, bottom, front, back, side, height, length, width, upper, lower, interior, exterior, inner, outer, and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation and/or configuration.

As used herein, “and/or” includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, such that “A and/or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A as well as B,” unless it is clearly indicated that only a single item, subgroup of items, or all items are present. The use of “etc.” is defined as “et cetera” and indicates the inclusion of all other elements belonging to the same group of the preceding items, in any “and/or” combination(s).

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include both the singular and plural forms, unless the language explicitly indicates otherwise. Indefinite articles like “a” and “an” introduce or refer to any modified term, both previously-introduced and not, while definite articles like “the” refer to a same previously-introduced term; as such, it is understood that “a” or “an” modify items that are permitted to be previously-introduced or new, while definite articles modify an item that is the same as immediately previously presented. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, characteristics, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not themselves preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, characteristics, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, unless expressly indicated otherwise. For example, if an embodiment of a system is described at comprising an article, it is understood the system is not limited to a single instance of the article unless expressly indicated otherwise, even if elsewhere another embodiment of the system is described as comprising a plurality of articles.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” “mated,” “attached,” “fixed,” etc. to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected,” “directly coupled,” etc. to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). Similarly, a term such as “communicatively connected” includes all variations of information exchange and routing between two electronic devices, including intermediary devices, networks, etc., connected wirelessly or not.

It will be understood that, although the ordinal terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited to any order by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another; where there are “second” or higher ordinals, there merely must be that many number of elements, without necessarily any difference or other relationship. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments and/or methods.

Similarly, the structures and operations discussed below may occur out of the order described and/or noted in the figures. For example, two operations and/or figures shown in succession may in fact be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Similarly, individual operations within example methods described below may be executed repetitively, individually, and/or sequentially, to provide looping and/or other series of operations aside from single operations described below. It should be presumed that any embodiment and/or method having features and functionality described below, in any workable combination, falls within the scope of example embodiments.

As used herein, the disclosure is shown and described as being used in association with a window covering, however the disclosure is not so limiting. Instead, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the disclosed embodiments, presented herein, can be applied to various other devices, without limitation. The system is merely shown and described as being used in association with a window covering for ease of description and as one of countless examples.

As used herein, the term window covering refers to any covering such as a blind, drapery, roller shade, venetian blind, or the like, used especially in association with windows. This term is in no way meant to be limiting. Instead, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the system presented herein can be applied to any window covering, without limitation.

System 10:

With reference to the figures, a drapery system 10 (or simply system 10) is presented. System 10 is formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and is configured to facilitate the attachment of shade material 60, which may be either a pinch pleat drapery 74, a ripplefold drapery 72, and/or other drapery known in the art, to a drapery support rod 20 and facilitate opening and closing of shade material 60, while providing an appealing aesthetic appearance as well as smooth, quiet, and effective operation.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, the system 10 includes: drapery support rod 20, rings 130 having an exterior surface 132, interior surface 134, sides 136, hollow interior 138, a connection member 240, shade attachment member 190, and/or a shade material 60, among other parts, components and features as are described herein. In one or more arrangements, drapery support rod 20 is connected to brackets positioned at or near the outward ends 22 and 24 of drapery support rod 20, and/or at a center point 26 of drapery support rod 20, that connect drapery support rod 20 to the structure that supports drapery support rod 20 such as the wall of a building and/or house.

Drapery Support Rod 20:

With reference to the figures, in one or more arrangements, system 10 is configured to be used in association with a drapery support rod 20. Drapery support rod 20 may be formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and is configured to support the shade material 60 (e.g., pinch pleat drapery 74 and/or ripplefold drapery 72) while allowing rings connected to the upper edge 62 of shade material 60 to be moved between an opened position and a closed position.

Drapery support rod 20 may be any form of a rotating member such as a rod, tube, threaded bar, and/or the like. In the arrangement shown, as one example, drapery support rod 20 is a generally elongated member that extends a length between a first end 22 and a second end 24 and has a generally cylindrical exterior surface 32. However, any other size, shape and design is hereby contemplated such as square, rectangular, oval, hexagonal, octagonal, and/or any other shape, as well as decorative shapes therein such as rope-shaped, ridged, grooved, and/or any other shape or configuration.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, drapery support rod 20 includes a helical guide 36 extending along the exterior surface 32 of the drapery support rod 20. Helical guide 36 can either be grooves, indentations, protrusions, threads and/or any other feature or the like, as is described herein. Helical guide 36 may be ground and/or machined into the surface of drapery support rod 20, cast into the surface of drapery support rod 20 when formed, created by deforming the drapery support rod 20, deposited onto the surface of drapery support rod 20, and/or created by any other means and/or methods known in the art. In one or more embodiments, helical guide 36 may be created, for example, by applying high pressure to the exterior surface 32 while rotating the drapery support rod 20 to deform the material along the helical path. In some implementations, the deformation creates a helical indentation in the exterior surface 32 of the drapery support rod 20 and a helical protrusion in the interior surface 34 of the drapery support rod 20.

The helical guide 36 can have a left-hand helical structure, a right-hand helical structure, both, and/or a plurality or a combination of left-hand guide structures and/or right-hand guide structures. For example, in an arrangement shown, as one example, a drapery support rod 20 for a center-opening and/or center-closing drapery may include a right hand helical structure a first segment 28 (e.g., right half) of the drapery support rod and a left hand helical structure on a second segment 30 (e.g., left half) of the drapery support rod 20 (or vice-versa). In this arrangement, rotation of the drapery support rod 20 in a first direction causes rings 130 of the drapery to travel toward a center point 26 of drapery support rod 20, where the segments 28 and 30 are joined; thereby closing the drapery. Conversely, rotation of the drapery support rod 20 in the other direction causes, rings 130 of the drapery to travel away from the center point 26 of drapery support rod 20; thereby opening the drapery. As another example, in one way opening drapery, drapery support rod 20 may have a right-hand and/or left-hand helical structure extending the entire length of drapery support rod 20.

In various embodiments, rotation of drapery support rod 20 may be manual and/or motorized. In some arrangements, drapery support rod 20 may be a manual drapery support rod 20, in that the drapery support rod 20 is manually rotated by a person, for example by moving and/or pulling an attached opening and/or closing mechanism such as a pull cord, beaded cord or chain or the like, which engages with the drapery support rod 20.

Additionally or alternatively, in one or more arrangements, rotation of drapery support rod 20 may be performed by operation of a motor assembly to facilitate opening and closing of the shade material 60. Such motor assembly is formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and is configured to facilitate motorized rotation of drapery support rod 20. A motor assembly may have a motor mounted either inside and/or outside the drapery support rod 20. For example, in one or more embodiments, a motor is mounted inside the drapery support rod 20 and generally concealed from plain view. Other components such as axles and bearings may also be located inside the drapery support rod 20. Rotation by a motor assembly may be responsive to a hardwired control switch, wireless remote, and/or one or more devices communicatively connective to the motor assembly (e.g., via a communication network).

One or more embodiments may utilize various systems and apparatuses known in the art for motorized rotation of a support rods and/or control thereof such as those presented in U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,908 entitled ROTATABLE DRIVE ELEMENT FOR MOVING A WINDOW COVERING; U.S. Pat. No. 9,999,313 entitled MOTORIZED DRAPERY APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE; U.S. Pat. No. 10,285,527 entitled MOTORIZED DRAPERY APPARATUS WITH BATTERIES POSITIONED IN THE BRACKETS, and all related patents and applications, all of which are commonly owned by Applicant, all of which are fully incorporated by reference herein, as well as other configurations of motorized drapery support rods made by other manufacturers such as, by way of example, the motorized “Cordoba” and “Granada” drapery support rods offered by Forest Drapery Hardware, of 2500 Donn Drive, Cartersville Ga. 30120, among countless others, which are all incorporated by reference.

Drapery support rod 20 may be attached to a wall and/or structure by a set of brackets (not shown). Brackets are formed of any suitable size, shape and design and are configured to attach drapery support rod 20 to a wall and/or other structure. As an illustrative example, in one or more embodiments, brackets may include a mounting plate, a support arm, and a collar. The mounting plate may be configured to attach the brackets to the wall and/or other structure. The support arm is configured to extend the collar away from the wall and/or other structure. The collar may be configured to facilitate connection to drapery support rod 20 while allowing rotation of drapery support rod 20. Generally, two brackets are utilized to attach drapery support rod 20 to a wall and/or structure, however, any number of brackets are hereby contemplated for use, as is any configuration of brackets.

Shade Material 60:

Shade material is formed of any suitable size, shape, or design configured to be movable between an opened position and a closed position and preferably providing a pleasing aesthetic appearance. In the arrangement shown, as one example, shade material 60 is formed of a panel of drapery fabric that extends vertically between an upper edge 62 and a lower edge 64, and extends horizontally between opposing sides 66, and includes a front surface 68 and a rear surface 70. In some various embodiments, shade material 60 may include, for example, pinch pleat drapery material 74, ripplefold drapery material 72, and/or any other drapery materials known in the art.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, a ripplefold drapery 72 shade material 60 is attached to a set of rings 130 at a number of positions along upper edge 62 and suspended by rings 130 on drapery support rod 20. The ripplefold drapery 72 begins as a generally flat and planar piece of fabric and/or material. This fabric is then installed on drapery support rod 20 in a manner that causes the material of ripplefold drapery 72 to form a series of ripples and/or curves that provide the desired fullness and aesthetic appearance. That is, ripplefold drapery 72 forms a continuous S-shaped curved shape, or, said another way, a sinusoidal curved member formed by a plurality of ripples connected in end-to-end fashion when viewed from above and/or below.

Due to the configuration of ripplefold drapery 72, drapery pins 210 are installed at spaced intervals along the side 66 to side 66 length of ripplefold drapery 72. Due to the configuration of ripplefold drapery 72, or more specifically the fact that ripplefold drapery 72 does not have any features in it (like pleats) the manner in which drapery pins 210 connects to the material of ripplefold drapery 72 affects the shape the material of ripplefold drapery 72 takes. It is desirable to have ripplefold drapery 72 extend in a curved and/or sinusoidal manner along its side 66 to side 66 length when it is fully opened. To facilitate this configuration, drapery pins 210 are installed in a pattern where adjacent drapery pins 210 point in opposing directions, as is further described herein, so as to help induce the desired shape and/or curvature of the material of ripplefold drapery 72.

Ripplefold drapery 72 is generally not self-limiting. Or, said another way, ripplefold drapery 72 is not-fully extended when it is fully opened. Instead, the fullness, and the desired aesthetic appearance of ripplefold drapery 72 is formed by limiting the distance between connection points to drapery support rod 20 such as through the use of a lead 230. The greater the amount of extra material between adjacent connection points, the greater the fullness of the ripples. The opposite is true as well. The lesser the amount of extra material between adjacent connection points, the lesser the fullness of the ripples.

Due to the configuration of ripplefold drapery 72, drapery pins 210 are installed at spaced intervals along the upper edge 62 of ripplefold drapery 72. It is desirable to have ripplefold drapery 72 extend in a curved and/or sinusoidal manner along its side 82 to side 82 length when it is fully opened. To facilitate this configuration, drapery pins 210 may installed in a pattern where adjacent drapery pins 210 point in opposite directions, as is further described herein, so as to help induce the desired shape and/or curvature of the material of ripplefold drapery 72.

Additionally or alternatively, in one or more embodiments, shade material 60 may include pinch pleat drapery 74. Pinch pleat drapery 74 begins as a generally flat and planar piece of fabric and/or material. This fabric is then gathered and pinched together at its upper edge 62 in a plurality of pleats that are generally equally spaced across the side to side length of pinch pleat drapery 74. These pleats provide pinch pleat drapery 74 with a controlled aesthetic appearance of fullness and consistency when the pinch pleat drapery 74 is fully opened as well as when pinch pleat drapery 74 is fully closed.

Pinch pleat drapery 74 may also be limited or self-limiting by the configuration of the pinch pleat drapery 74. That is, when the pinch pleat drapery 74 is fully opened, the material of the pinch pleat drapery 74 may generally be fully extended. In this fully opened and/or fully extended position, pinch pleat drapery 74 still has a desired fullness due to the material gathered by pleats. When pleats are only gathered and/or stitched adjacent to upper edge 62 of pinch pleat drapery 74, the material tends to fan-out and/or extend outward as it extends downward. The self-limiting nature of pinch pleat drapery 74 eliminates the need for a length-limiting component, such as a lead 230, as is often used with ripplefold drapery 72.

Rings 130:

In one or more embodiments, the system 10 includes a plurality of rings 130 configured to suspend a drapery shade material 60 from drapery support rod 20. In an arrangement shown, as one example, a plurality of rings 130 are positioned around drapery support rod 20. Rings 130 slide along the length of drapery support rod 20 to facilitate moving rings 130 and shade material 60 between an open position and a closed position (e.g., in response to manual movement by a user or rotation of drapery support rod 20, which may or may not be motorized rotation).

Rings 130 are formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and are configured to be positioned around drapery support rod 20 and facilitate a connection to the upper edge 62 of shade material 60 (e.g., pinch pleat drapery 74 and/or ripplefold drapery 72) while allowing the shade material 60 to be moved between an opened position and a closed position.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, rings 130 have an exterior surface 132, an interior surface 134, and sides 136. In this example arrangement, rings 130 are non-circular in shape, oblong in shape, formed of an egg-shape, formed of a teardrop shape, and/or are formed of another non-round shape when viewed from the side. That is, when viewed from the side 136, the ring has an oval shape elongated between an upper end 140 and a lower end 142.

The upper end 162 and lower end 164 of rings 130 is formed of any suitable size, shape and design and is configured to facilitate alignment and guidance of rings 130 as they move along a length of drapery support rod 20. This shape also promotes stability and inhibit wobble of rings 130 as they move along a length of drapery support rod 20. This shape also prevents rings 130 from tilting and/or binding when drapery support rod 20 is rotated. This shape also helps to reduce noise and facilitate quieter sliding of the rings 130 as they move along a length of drapery support rod 20. This shape also helps to inhibit excessive wear of rings 130 as they move along a length of drapery support rod 20. In one or more embodiments, when viewed from the side 136, the rings 130 have an oval shape elongated between an upper end 140 and a lower end 142, where the upper end has a curvature with smaller diameter d1 and the lower end 142 has a curvature with a larger diameter d2.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, interior surface 134 of upper end 140 of ring 130 includes a semi-circular portion sized and shaped to fit closely around the exterior surface 94 of drapery support rod 20 with close and tight tolerances while facilitating easy movement across drapery support rod 20. In the arrangement shown, as one example, the semi-circular portion of interior surface 134 of upper end 140 has a radius that is approximately as that of drapery support rod 20. In the arrangement shown, as one example, semi-circular portion of the interior surface 118 contacts less than half of the exterior circumference of drapery support rod 20. Contacting less than half the circumference of drapery support rod 20 minimizes friction while facilitating alignment and guidance. In an alternative arrangement, interior surface 118 of upper end 140 may contact approximately half, slightly less than half, slightly more than half, exactly half or more than half the exterior circumference of drapery support rod 20.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, the interior surface 134 of the lower end 142 of rings 130 is sized and shaped so a diameter at the lower end 142 of the interior surface 134 is larger than that of exterior surface 94 of drapery support rod 20. Such arrangement provides clearance for the lower end of rings 130 thereby allowing rings 130 to tilt when drapery 74, 72 is pulled manually to open and/or close the drapery 74, 72. This clearance ensures that the rings 130 do not bind and/or lock on the exterior surface 94 of drapery support rod 20 when drapery 74, 72 is opened and/or closed by manually pulling drapery 74, 72 which causes rings 130 to tilt along the opening and/or closing direction.

Interior and Exterior Ring Members:

In one or more arrangements, rings 130 include an exterior member 150 and an interior member 170. Exterior member 150 has an exterior surface 152, an interior surface 154, an upper end 162, a lower end 164, a front end 158, and a rearward end 160. Interior member 170 has an exterior surface 172, an interior surface 174, an upper end 176, a lower end 178, a front end 158, and a rearward end 160. Interior member 170 is generally configured to fit around drapery support rod 20 as well as within exterior member 150. When interior member 170 is positioned within exterior member 150, interior surface 174 of interior member 170 forms interior surface 134 of ring 130, exterior surface 172 of interior member 170 is in contact with interior surface 154 of exterior member 150, and exterior surface 152 of exterior member 150 forms exterior surface 132 of ring 130. Upper end of 178 of interior member 170 and upper end 162 of exterior member 150 are generally aligned and correspond to upper end 140 of ring 130. Similarly, lower end of 178 of interior member 170 and lower end 164 of exterior member 150 are generally aligned and correspond to lower end 142 of ring 130.

Exterior member 150 and interior member 170 may each be formed of any suitable size shape, and/or design and is configured to hold interior member 170 within exterior member 150 and support shade material 60 while facilitating easy movement across drapery support rod 20. In one or more arrangements, the exterior member includes a feature 156 extending around interior surface 154 that is configured to receive and interlock with an exterior surface 172 of interior member 170. In the arrangement shown, as one example, the exterior member includes a recess feature 156 extending around interior surface 154 and configured to receive and hold interior member 170. Conversely, in an alternative arrangement, as another example, exterior surface 172 of interior member 170 includes a recess configured to receive and hold a protrusion feature in the interior surface 154 of exterior member 150. It is contemplated that one or more arrangements may use any other mechanisms known in the art, to facilitate attachment of interior member 170 within exterior member 150.

In some various embodiments, exterior member 150 may serve both a structural purpose as well as an aesthetic purpose. Aesthetically, exterior member 150 may be configured to have a pleasing aesthetic appearance, and may have the same surface treatment and/or appearance of that as the drapery support rod 20. Structurally, exterior member 150 is formed of a durable and/or rigid member that has the strength to support shade material 60 while moving shade material 60 between an open position and closed position along drapery support rod 20. While an egg-shaped exterior member 150 is shown, exterior surface of 152 of exterior member 150 may take on any other shape and/or design such as square, rectangular, octagonal, and/or any other suitable or aesthetically pleasing design.

Exterior member 150 and interior member 170 may each be formed of any suitable materials known in the art with sufficient strength to support shade material 60, while facilitating easy movement across drapery support rod 20, and/or to provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance. In one or more arrangements, for example, exterior member 150 may formed of a metallic material to provide optimum strength of rigidity as well as to match the material of drapery support rod 20 (which is generally metallic material). In one or more arrangements, as stated earlier, drapery support rod 20 and/or exterior member 150 are formed of a metallic material for strength, rigidity, durability, and aesthetic purposes. While metallic materials provide these benefits, metallic materials have substantial drawbacks including noise and vibrational issues. In one or more arrangements, to minimize noise and vibrational issues, interior member 170 is formed of a non-metallic material such as a plastic, a composite, a nylon, a polymer, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW) material, and/or any other non-metallic material. In one or more arrangements, interior member 170 is formed of a material which has a low coefficient of friction and/or is self-lubricating so as to facilitate low frictional sliding across a length of drapery support rod 20 as well as quiet operation. In one or more arrangements, interior member 170 is formed of a material that has a lower durometer than the materials which form drapery support rod 20 and/or exterior member 150 so as to facilitate vibrational dampening and/or noise reduction. In this way, forming interior member 170 out of a non-metallic material when drapery support rod 20 and/or exterior member 150 are formed of a metallic material provide substantial operational advantages.

Driver Ring/Idler Ring/Partial Driver Ring Configurations:

As previously discussed, in various embodiments, rotation of drapery support rod 20 may be motorized. In one or more shown arrangements, for example, rings 130 slide along the length of drapery support rod 20 as drapery support rod 20 rotates, thereby opening and closing shade material 60. In some various embodiments, interior surface 134 of rings 130 may be sized and shaped to operate as idler rings 186, driver rings 184, partial driver rings 188, and/or a combination thereof. For idler rings 186, interior member 170 may have any suitable size, shape, and/or design such that ring 130 is not significantly affected by the rotating drapery support rod 20 and its helical guide structures 36. In the arrangement shown, as one example, interior member 170 of idler rings 186 has a shape similar to that of exterior member, with upper end 176 of interior surface 174 of upper end having radius that is approximately as that of drapery support rod 20.

For driver rings 184, interior member 170 may have any suitable, size, shape, and/or design and are configured to engage the helical guide 36 of the rotating drapery support rod 20. In one or more embodiments, full driver ring 184 interior member 170 also includes one or more guide members 180 configured to ride inside of helical guide 36. As the drapery support rod 20 is rotated, guide members 180 move within helical guide 36, which causes the full driver ring 184 to be laterally moved across the length of the rotating drapery support rod 20, thereby opening and/or closing the shade material hung on the idler rings 186 and the driver rings 184.

The full driver ring 184 interior member 170 and/or guide members 180 are formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and are configured to ensure guide members 180 remain engaged with helical guide 36. In the arrangement shown, as one example, full driver ring 184 interior member 170 also includes a circular arm member 182 extending from one side of upper end 176 around drapery support rod 20 to the other side of upper end 176. In the arrangement shown, as one example, a circular arm member 182 and upper end 176 form a circle with an inner surface having a radius approximately the same as the radius of drapery support rod 20. In the arrangement shown, as one example, full driver ring 184 interior member 170 includes three guide members 180 configured to engage with helical guide 36. However, it is contemplated that driver rings 184 may have more or fewer guide members 180.

In one or more arrangements, guide members 180 may be formed of one or more teeth that protrude out of the interior surface 174 of interior member 170 and engage the helical groove of the exterior surface 32 of the rotating drapery support rod 20. However, any other configuration is hereby contemplated for use as guide members 180.

In one or more arrangements, partial driver rings 188 have a guide member 180 configured to engage with the helical groove of the rotating drapery support rod 20 but are configured to permit the ring to slip over helical grooves if sufficient force is applied. In the arrangement shown, as one example, partial driver ring 188 interior member 170 includes one guide member 180 that is configured to engage helical guide 36. Unlike full driver ring 184, partial driver ring 188 interior member 170 does not include circular arm member 182. Without circular arm member 182, if enough force is applied, partial driver ring 188 may raise up, relative to drapery support rod 20, and permit guide member 180 to escape helical guide 36 and thereby permit free lateral movement along drapery support rod 20.

In Operation:

In a one-way opening drapery application, a plurality of idler rings 186 are positioned around the drapery support rod 20 on the non-opening side. The number of idler rings 186 needed depends on the length of the drapery support rod 20 as well as the property of the materials of the shade material 60. Positioned on the opening side of the plurality of idler rings 186 is a full driver ring 184. Positioned on the opening side of the full driver ring 184 is a partial driver ring 188.

In a center opening and/or center closing drapery application, a plurality of idler rings 186 are positioned around the drapery support rod 20 on the outward sides of drapery support rod 20. The number of idler rings 186 needed depends on the length of the drapery support rod 20 as well as the property of the materials of the shade material 60. Positioned on the inward side of the plurality of idler rings 186 is a full driver ring 184. Positioned on the inward side of the full driver ring 184 is a partial driver ring 188.

The arrangement of the plurality of idler rings 186, followed by a full driver ring 184, followed by a partial driver ring 188 provides operational advantages. Namely, a partial driver ring 188 drives itself along the length of drapery support rod 20 while allowing the full driver ring to “crush” the shade material 60 at the fully closed position, which causes the full driver ring 184 to either directly engage the partial driver ring 188 and/or thereby engage in close proximity the partial driver ring 188, which has the effect of forcing an increased amount of shade material 60 at the fully closed position, which has the effect of reducing light gaps in the shade material 60 at the fully closed position.

As the drapery support rod 20 rotates, the rings 130 are driven along the length of the drapery support rod 20 to move the shade material 60 between an opened and a closed position. More specifically, full driver ring 184 engages the helical guide structure 36 of drapery support rod 20, which causes linear movement of full driver ring 184 along the length of drapery support rod 20. As the full driver ring 184 linearly moves along drapery support rod 20, full driver ring 184 has a tendency to push and/or pull idler rings 186 and partial driver ring 188 as the shade material 60 moves between the opened position and the closed position.

Connection Member 240 & Lead 230:

In one or more arrangements, rings 130 include a connection member 240 that is configured to connect to and hold onto lead 230. Connection member 240 is formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and is configured to facilitate the connection of adjacent rings 130 by way of a lead 230 so as to set the maximum spacing between adjacent rings 130 so as to set the fullness of pinch pleat drapery 74 and/or a ripplefold drapery 72 connected to rings 130. However, as mentioned herein, when a pinch pleat drapery 74 is used, setting the maximum spacing between adjacent rings 130 using a lead 230 may not be necessary as the pinch pleat drapery 74 is self-limiting with panels 78 and pleats, however, in some applications it may still be desirable to set the maximum spacing between rings 130 using connection members 240 and a lead 230.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, connection member 240 is formed of a snap-fit feature that is sized and shaped to frictionally receive and hold-on to lead 230, which in the arrangement shown is a string and/or cord with a plurality of spaced features 232, which in the arrangement shown, as one example, are spherical beads that are positioned along the length of lead 230. In the arrangement shown, as one example, connection member 240 is formed of a pair of arms 242 that extend in approximate parallel spaced relation to one another. In the arrangement shown, as one example, the length of arms 242 extend in generally parallel spaced relation to the sides 136 of ring 130. In the arrangement shown, as one example, the space between adjacent arms 242 is sized and shaped to receive a feature 232 therein with frictional and locking engagement. In the arrangement shown, as one example, to further facilitate this frictional and locking engagement, recess 244 that is generally spherical shaped, is partially present in the exterior surface 132 of ring 130 and/or in the interior-facing sides of arms 242. This recess 244 is configured to receive and hold a portion of feature 232 therein, and/or to provide clearance for feature 232 while it is held by arms 242.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, recess 244 may also be present in the exterior surface 132 of ring 130 just outside of the exterior facing surface of arms 242. In the arrangement shown, as one example, this recess 244 also extends upward into the exterior facing surface of arms 242.

In one or more arrangements, the combination of arms 242 and recess 244 allow for the forceful insertion of a feature 232 therein, as well as the forceful removal of feature 232 from between arms 242. In this configuration, feature 232 is retained between arms 242 and within recess 244 when no removal force is applied, such as during normal operation.

Feature 232 may be frictionally held by the interior facing surfaces of arms 242 between opposing arms 242. In this arrangement, feature 232 is pinched between opposing arms 242 of connection member 240.

Alternatively, features 232 may be frictionally held by the exterior facing surfaces of arms 242 by stretching lead 230 between opposing outwardly facing surfaces of opposing arms 242. In this example arrangement, two features are held under tension by opposing outwardly facing surfaces of opposing arms 242.

Alternatively, a feature 232 may be frictionally held by the interior facing surfaces of opposing arms 242 between opposing arms 242 as well as the exterior-positioned features 232 being frictionally held by the exterior facing surfaces of arms 242 by stretching lead 230. This configuration pinches the centrally positioned feature 232, while holding a feature 232 on either side of the centrally positioned feature 232 under tension. This configuration utilizing both pinching as well as stretching may provide greater strength of hold. Any other manner, method, means and/or configuration of connecting to a feature 232 or features 232 is hereby contemplated for use.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, a slot 246 is positioned in the approximate middle of arms 242. Slot 246 is sized and shaped to allow for the string and/or cord of lead 230 to pass there through when arms 242 receive and hold one or more features 232.

One of the benefits of using a lead 230 having features 232 attached thereto is that the features 232 may be positioned at known spaced intervals so as to facilitate simple, easy, and accurate spacing between adjacent rings 130 without conventional measuring. This is accomplished by counting an equal number of features 232 between adjacent rings 130. Alternatively, this measuring may be accomplished by marking and/or color-coding features 232 for predetermined intervals and/or spacing.

It is hereby contemplated that connection member 240 may be formed of any other suitable, size, shape, and/or design that facilitates the attachment of a lead 230 of any kind, whether beaded or not.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, connection member 240 is positioned in the upper rearward quadrant of the ring 130 so as to minimize the ability for a user to see the lead 230 and/or connection member 240. In the arrangement shown, as one example, the connection member 240 is positioned at approximately the 10:30 position on the exterior surface 132 of ring 130, at the upper rearward side of ring 130.

Placing connection member 240 at the upper rearward side of rings 130 has the effect of hiding lead 230 and connection member 240 as most drapery systems 10 are installed high on a wall above a window and as such most of the time these drapery systems 10 are viewed from the forward lower side. From this forward lower perspective the connection member 240 is hidden behind the ring 130 and the drapery support rod 20 has a tendency to hide the lead 230, even when the lead 230 sags between adjacent rings 130 when the rings 130 are slid adjacent to one another when drapery 74, 72 is in an open position. However, any other position is hereby contemplated for use.

Attachment Member 190:

In one or more arrangements, rings 130 include an attachment member 190. Attachment member 190 is formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and is configured to facilitate connection of rings 130 to an upper edge 64 of a drapery material (e.g., pinch pleat 74 panel(s) and/or ripple fold 72 panel(s)). In the arrangement shown, as one example, attachment member 190 includes a loop member 208 extending outward from the exterior surface 132 of ring 130. The loop member 208 may be used, for example to connect to an upper edge 62 of pinch pleat drapery 74.

Loop member 208 is formed of any suitable size, shape and design and is configured to receive and align a drapery pin 210 with the forward-to-back center of ring 130. Or, said another way, loop member 208 is configured to receive a drapery pin 210 therein and align drapery pin 210 such that the drapery pin 210 is in approximate parallel spaced alignment with the opposing sides 136 of ring 130 and is approximately centrally positioned between opposing sides 136. In the arrangement shown, as one example, loop member 208 is configured to receive a drapery pin 210 therein when a pinch pleat drapery 74 is to be installed onto ring 130.

In one or more arrangements, loop member 208 is configured to be used with a pinch pleat drapery 74. In this arrangement, loop member 208 is configured to align drapery pin 210 in approximate parallel spaced alignment with the opposing sides 136 of ring 130 so that drapery pin 210 engages pinch pleat drapery 74 in a generally perpendicular manner to the flat plane formed by pinch pleat drapery 74. In some implementations, loop member 208 is configured to hold drapery pin 210 in a rigid and precise alignment that is parallel with the forward-to-back center of ring 130. However, in most cases, pinch pleat drapery 74 does not require precise alignment. Or, said another way, due to the configuration of pinch pleat drapery 74 with an iterative pattern of pleats separated by panels 78, pinch pleat drapery 74 is self-limiting by panels 78 and pleats, and the fullness of pinch pleat drapery 74 is not necessarily affected by the manner in which drapery pin 210 engages the pinch pleat drapery 74. As such, in the arrangement shown, as one example, loop member 208 is larger than drapery pin 210 and allows for the relative angular rotation of drapery pin 210 within loop member 208.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, when a pinch pleat drapery 74 is installed on drapery support rod 20 using a plurality of rings 130, a drapery pin 210 is placed in loop member 208 of each ring 130. Pinch pleat drapery 74 is then installed onto the drapery pin 210 of each ring 130 by inserting the first end 212 of drapery pin 210 through the material of pinch pleat drapery 74 such that the forward-to-back length of drapery pin 210 extends through the plane of the material of pinch pleat drapery 74 in a generally perpendicular manner. In the arrangement shown, as one example, a drapery pin 210 is inserted through pinch pleat drapery 74 at the upper edge 62 of the pinch pleat drapery 74 at the location of each pleat 88.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, loop member 208 is formed as a single continuous member with all or a portion of ring 130, such as through a molding, injection molding, machining, casting, printing, and/or other forming process. In an alternative arrangement, loop member 208 may be formed as a separate component that is assembled with other components to form ring 130 through a secondary assembly step such as gluing, adhering, welding, snap-fitting, screwing, bolting, fastening or the like or any combination of these processes. Conversely, in an alternate arrangement, adapter 192 may be formed as a single continuous member with all or a portion of ring 130, such as through a molding, injection molding, machining, casting, printing, and/or other forming process.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, attachment member 190 also includes an adapter 192 configured to facilitate the connection of a drapery pin 210 to ring 130 in multiple angular orientations so as to facilitate the attachment of both a pinch pleat drapery 74 to ring 130 as well as a ripplefold drapery 72 to ring 130. In the arrangement shown, as one example, adapter 192 configured to fit over and attach to loop member 208. More specifically, adapter 192 includes an opening 194 configured to receive loop member 208. In this example arrangement, adapter 192 also includes one or more snap features 195 configured to engage and operably connect with loop member 208 when inserted in opening 194.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, the forward side 200 and rearward side 202 of adapter 192 define generally planar surfaces that extend in approximate parallel planar spaced relation to one another. In the arrangement shown, as one example, forward side 200 and rearward side 202 of attachment member 190 extend in approximate perpendicular planar alignment to the opposing sides 206 of attachment member 190.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, the lower side 204 of adapter 192 defines a generally planar surface that extends in approximate perpendicular planar relation to the forward side 200, and rearward side 202 of adapter 192. In the arrangement shown, as one example, the lower side 204 of adapter 192 defines a generally planar surface that extends in approximate perpendicular planar relation to the opposing sides 200/202 of adapter 192.

In this way, the combination and arrangement of the forward side 200, rearward side 202 opposing sides 206 and lower side 204 of adapter 192 form a generally square or rectangular member that receives and connects to loop member 208 and extends downward a distance therefrom. However, any other size, shape and configuration is hereby contemplated for use as adapter 192.

Left Channel 196: and Right Channel 198:

In the arrangement shown, as one example, adapter 192 includes one or more channels that are configured to receive, hold, and align a drapery pin 210 therein. In the arrangement shown, as one example, adapter 192 provides for a left channel 196 and a right channel 198. However, any other number of channels is hereby contemplated for use such as one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, adapter 192 includes a left channel 196 and a right channel 198. Left channel 196 and right channel 198 are openings in adapter 192 that are formed of any suitable size, shape and design and are configured to receive and align a drapery pin 210 therein. Left channel 196 and right channel 198 are openings that extend at an approximate 45° angle with the forward-to-back center of ring 130. Or, said another way, left channel 196 and right channel 198 are configured to receive a drapery pin 210 therein and align drapery pin 210 such that the drapery pin 210 is in approximately positioned at a 45° angle with respect to the opposing sides 136 of ring 130 and the centerline of ring 130. Similarly, left channel 196 and right channel 198 are configured to receive a drapery pin 210 therein and align drapery pin 210 such that the drapery pin 210 is approximately positioned at a 45° angle with respect to the opposing forward side 200 and rearward side 202 of adapter 192. In the arrangement shown, as one example, left channel 196 and right channel 198 are configured to receive a drapery pin 210 therein when a ripplefold drapery 72 is to be installed onto ring 130.

Notably, while a 45° angle is shown for left channel 196 and right channel 198, any other angular orientation is hereby contemplated for use for left channel 196 and right channel 198, anywhere between 0° (straight forward) to 180° (straight rearward), including 30°, 45°, 218°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°, 135°, 150°, 175°, and any other angle in-between these angles or any range of angles within or between these angles.

In one or more arrangements, left channel 196 and right channel 198 are configured to be used with a ripplefold drapery 72. In the arrangement shown, as one example, the adapter 192 of each ring 130 is used to align a drapery pin 210 in an oppositely pointing angular relation to the immediately adjacent rings 130. That is, each ring 130 has a ring 130 on either side that has a drapery pin 210 pointing in an opposite direction. In this way, when a plurality of rings 130 are positioned around drapery support rod 20 the rings 130 form a pattern where a ring 130 having left-pointing drapery pin 210 positioned in left channel 196 of adapter 192 is positioned next to a ring 130 having right-pointing drapery pin 210 positioned in right channel 198 of adapter 192 is positioned next to a ring 130 having left-pointing drapery pin 210 positioned in left channel 196 of adapter 192 is positioned next to a ring 130 having right-pointing drapery pin 210 positioned in right channel 198 of adapter 192, and so on.

In one or more arrangements, it is important to have symmetry between the left channel 196 and right channel 198. That is, whatever the angle of orientation of drapery pin 210 positioned in one of left channel 196 and/or right channel 198, the angle is similar if not identical, but opposite, for the other of left channel 196 and/or right channel 198. That is, as one example, when left channel 196 angles 45° to the left of the centerline of ring 130 right channel 198 angles 45° to the right of the centerline of ring 130. As another example, when left channel 196 angles 90° to the left of the centerline of ring 130 right channel 198 angles 90° to the right of the centerline of ring 130. Alternatively, different angular orientations for left channel 196 and right channel 198 are hereby contemplated for use such that left channel 196 and right channel 198 are not symmetric to the centerline of ring 130.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, when a ripplefold drapery 72 is installed on drapery support rod 20 using a plurality of rings 130, a drapery pin 210 is placed in the left channel 196 and/or right channel 198 of each adapter 192 of each ring 130. Care is taken to ensure that when the drapery pin 210 of one ring 130 positioned in one of the left channel 196 or right channel 198 the drapery pin 210 of the next adjacent ring 130 is positioned in the other of the left channel 196 and right channel 198. Ripplefold drapery 72 is then installed onto the drapery pin 210 of each ring 130 by inserting the first end 212 of drapery pin 210 through the material of ripplefold drapery 72 such that the forward-to-back length of drapery pin 210 extends through the plane of the material of ripplefold drapery 72 at the desired angle and position so as to provide the desired aesthetically pleasing appearance of ripplefold drapery 72.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, when left channel 196 and right channel 198 extend at approximately 45° to the centerline of ring 130, the drapery pin 210 extends through the material of ripplefold drapery 72 at an approximate 45° at the upper edge 62 of ripplefold drapery 72 at the location of each pleat 88. In the arrangement shown, as one example, each drapery pin 210 intersects the material of ripplefold drapery 72 at a position wherein the material of ripplefold drapery 72 extends in an approximate perpendicular alignment to the length of drapery support rod 20. In this way, the angle that the drapery pins 210 extend outward from adapter 192, the angle that the drapery pins 210 intersect with the plane of ripplefold drapery 72, and the spacing between where adjacent drapery pins 210 intersect with ripplefold drapery 72 dictate and/or impart the ripplefold drapery 72 hangs from drapery support rod 20.

As such, when hanging a ripplefold drapery 72, the angular orientation and the spacing of insertion and the angle of insertion of drapery pins 210 creates the ripples of the ripplefold drapery 72 and creates the aesthetic appearance of ripplefold drapery 72. Or, said another way, the angular orientation and the spacing of insertion and the angle of insertion of drapery pins 210 induce tilt onto the ripplefold drapery 72 that produces the ripplefold shape.

One benefit of this arrangement wherein rings 130 have multiple channels to hold a drapery pin 210 at various angles is that this configuration allows for easy modification and adjustment at any time. As such, the user can install and adjust and reinstall and readjust without cost, without delay, without additional parts and/or configurations, without sewing, without prior thought. The user can simply guess and check until they are pleased with the result. In contrast, using the system 10 presented herein, all the user must do is move the location of drapery pins 210 relative to the ripplefold drapery 72 until they are happy with the aesthetic appearance of the ripplefold drapery 72. This is a substantial benefit, especially considering the finicky nature of ripplefold drapery 72 and the fact that many users desire to adjust the ripplefold drapery 72 after installation to fit their desires.

Another benefit of this arrangement is that users can adjust ripplefold drapery 72 in unique ways, such as: having the ripplefold 14 being fuller in the front of the drapery support rod 20; having the ripplefold 14 being fuller in the rear of the drapery support rod 20; having fullness of the ripples increase as they move from left to right along the length of the drapery support rod 20; having fullness of the ripples decrease as they move from left to right along the length of the drapery support rod 20; adjusting the position of the ripples to correspond with features and/or patterns in the material of the ripplefold drapery 72; and/or by adjusting the ripplefold drapery 72 in any other way.

Drapery Pin 210:

In one or more arrangements, attachment member 190 of rings 130 includes a loop member 208 and an adapter 192 configured to receive and hold and align a drapery pin 210. Drapery pins 210 are formed of any suitable size, shape and design and are configured connect to loop member 208 and/or adapter 192 of attachment member 190 of rings 130 as well as to facilitate the connection of pinch pleat drapery 74 and ripplefold drapery 72 to loop member 208 and/or adapter 192 of attachment member 190 of rings 130.

As one example, drapery pins 210 may be generally cylindrical metallic members that extends a length between a first end 212, which is configured to facilitate attachment to a shade material 60, and second end 214, which is configured to facilitate attachment to attachment member 190 and/or rings 130. However, any other configuration of a drapery pin is hereby contemplated for use.

In Operation:

In the arrangement shown, as one example, attachment members 190 with their left channels 196 and right channels 198 are used in association with drapery pins 210 to induce the direction of buckling of a generally flat panel of a ripplefold drapery 72. This is caused by placing a drapery pin 210 in each adjacent attachment member 190 in an alternating pattern wherein each attachment member 190 that receives a drapery pin 210 in its left channel 196 has an attachment member 190 that receives a drapery pin 210 in its right channel 198 on either side, and vice versa.

In this arrangement, the drapery pins 210 are relatively tightly constrained in their angular relationship to the drapery support rod 20. In this arrangement, the drapery pins 210 are inserted through the material of the ripplefold drapery 72 in a generally perpendicular manner. That is, the drapery pin 210 generally extends through the generally flat plane of the panel of fabric that forms ripplefold drapery 72 in a generally perpendicular front-to-back and/or back-to-front manner. However, any other angular relationship of insertion of drapery pin 210 is hereby contemplated for use. Drapery pins 210 of the series of attachment members 190 are aligned with drapery pins 210 in an alternating left channel right channel pattern (e.g., left channel, right channel, left channel . . . ) to induce the direction of buckling, and/or ripples, of the ripplefold drapery 72. That is, the curve and/or shape of the buckles and/or ripples of the ripplefold drapery 72 are caused by the connection between the drapery pins 210 and the angles at which the drapery pins 210 are held by attachment members 190. This induces a beautiful, natural looking and aesthetically pleasing smooth sinusoidal curve and/or ripple-effect to ripplefold drapery 72.

Alternate Arrangement(s):

With reference to FIGS. 62-86 an alternative arrangement of seating system 10 is presented. The arrangement shown in FIGS. 62-86 is similar to the system 10 shown in FIGS. 1-61 and as such, the disclosure related to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-61 applies to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 62-86 unless stated specifically herein. The primary differences presented in the arrangements shown in FIGS. 62-86, relates to connection member 240 and attachment member 190 of rings 130.

Connection Member 240:

Connection member 240 is formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and is configured to facilitate the connection of adjacent rings 130 by way of a lead 230 so as to set the maximum spacing between adjacent rings 130 so as to set the fullness of pinch pleat drapery 74 and/or a ripplefold drapery 72 connected to rings 130. In the arrangement shown, as one example, connection member 240 is formed of a snap-fit hook feature that is sized and shaped to frictionally receive and hold-on to lead 230. In the arrangement shown, as one example, connection member 240 hook shaped arm 250 connected to exterior surface 132 of ring 130 and a plurality of frictional features 252.

Arm 250 and frictional features 252, are formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and is configured to facilitate holding of lead 230 between arm 250 and exterior surface 132 of ring 130.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, arm 250 includes a first section 254 that extends outward a distance from exterior surface 132 of ring 130. In this example arrangement, arm 250 include a second section 256 that extends from a lower end 258, where second section 256 is connected to first section 254, to an upper end 260.

In this example arrangement, connection member 240 is configured to receive and hold lead 230 in a gap 262 between second section 256 of arm 250, and exterior surface 132 of ring 130. In this example arrangement, the gap 262 between second section 256 of arm 250 widens as second section 256 extends upward due to curvature of rings 130. The widening of gap 262 facilitates holding leads 230 of multiple different sizes at different corresponding positions within gap 262.

Frictional features 252 are formed of any suitable size, shape, and/or design, and are configured to engage with and hold lead 230 within gap 262. In the arrangement shown, frictional features 252 are semi-cylindrical recesses extending across exterior surface 132 of ring 130 within gap 262. In the arrangement shown, arm 250 has some flexibility to flex outward away from exterior surface 132 of ring 130 to permit lead 230 to be snaped into and held within the recesses forming frictional features 252. In this manner lead 230 becomes pinched between arm 250 and frictional features 252 on exterior surface 132 of ring 130.

However, the arrangements are not so limited. Rather, it is contemplated that connection member 240 may use various types of frictional features 252 including but not limited to, for example, recesses, protrusions, ridges, teeth, textured surfaces, materials having higher-coefficients of friction, and/or any other means or configuration of connecting with lead 230. Moreover, it is contemplated that frictional features 252 may be additionally or alternatively be positioned on a surface of arm 250 within gap 262 or any other location that facilitates holding of lead 230 within gap.

In Operation:

Connection member 240 allows a user to quickly and easily disconnect, reposition, and reconnect lead 230 to rings 130 to adjust maximum distance between rings 130, and thereby adjust fullness of the drapery. Fullness refers to the amount of drapery fabric used to cover a set unit length along support rod 20. Traditionally, fullness is adjusted by changing the positions at which drapery is connected to rings. However, such adjustment can be tedious and time consuming. It has been surprisingly discovered, that fullness is primarily perceived by the width of the forward facing waves of ripple fold drapery and that appearance of fullness can be adjusted by adjusting the maximum distance between rings 130 without changing the position at which drapery connects to rings 130 and/or removing drapery and/or rings from support rod 20. Rather, a user may simply pull lead 230 out from gap 262 between connection member 240 and ring 130, reposition connection member 240 at desired position along lead, and insert lead 230 back into gap 262 so frictional features 252 engage and hold lead within gap 262.

Attachment Member 190:

In one or more arrangements, rings 130 include an attachment member 190. Attachment member 190 is formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and is configured to facilitate connection of rings 130 to an upper edge 64 of a drapery material (e.g., pinch pleat 74 panel(s) and/or ripple fold 72 panel(s)). In the arrangement shown, as one example, attachment member 190 includes a loop member 208 extending outward from the exterior surface 132 of ring 130. The loop member 208 may be used, for example to connect to an upper edge 62 of pinch pleat drapery 74.

Loop member 208 is formed of any suitable size, shape and design and is configured to receive and align a drapery pin 210 with the forward-to-back center of ring 130. Or, said another way, loop member 208 is configured to receive a drapery pin 210 therein and align drapery pin 210 such that the drapery pin 210 is in approximate parallel spaced alignment with the opposing sides 136 of ring 130 and is approximately centrally positioned between opposing sides 136. In the arrangement shown, as one example, loop member 208 is configured to receive a drapery pin 210 therein when a pinch pleat drapery 74 is to be installed onto ring 130.

In one or more arrangements, loop member 208 is configured to be used with a pinch pleat drapery 74. In this arrangement, loop member 208 is configured to align drapery pin 210 in approximate parallel spaced alignment with the opposing sides 136 of ring 130 so that drapery pin 210 engages pinch pleat drapery 74 in a generally perpendicular manner to the flat plane formed by pinch pleat drapery 74. In some implementations, loop member 208 is configured to hold drapery pin 210 in a rigid and precise alignment that is parallel with the forward-to-back center of ring 130. However, in most cases, pinch pleat drapery 74 does not require precise alignment. Or, said another way, due to the configuration of pinch pleat drapery 74 with an iterative pattern of pleats separated by panels 78, pinch pleat drapery 74 is self-limiting by panels 78 and pleats, and the fullness of pinch pleat drapery 74 is not necessarily affected by the manner in which drapery pin 210 engages the pinch pleat drapery 74. As such, in the arrangement shown, as one example, loop member 208 is larger than drapery pin 210 and allows for the relative angular rotation of drapery pin 210 within loop member 208.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, when a pinch pleat drapery 74 is installed on drapery support rod 20 using a plurality of rings 130, a drapery pin 210 is placed in loop member 208 of each ring 130. Pinch pleat drapery 74 is then installed onto the drapery pin 210 of each ring 130 by inserting the first end 212 of drapery pin 210 through the material of pinch pleat drapery 74 such that the forward-to-back length of drapery pin 210 extends through the plane of the material of pinch pleat drapery 74 in a generally perpendicular manner. In the arrangement shown, as one example, a drapery pin 210 is inserted through pinch pleat drapery 74 at the upper edge 62 of the pinch pleat drapery 74 at the location of each pleat 88.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, loop member 208 is formed as a single continuous member with all or a portion of ring 130, such as through a molding, injection molding, machining, casting, printing, and/or other forming process. In an alternative arrangement, loop member 208 may be formed as a separate component that is assembled with other components to form ring 130 through a secondary assembly step such as gluing, adhering, welding, snap-fitting, screwing, bolting, fastening or the like or any combination of these processes. Conversely, in an alternate arrangement, adapter 192 may be formed as a single continuous member with all or a portion of ring 130, such as through a molding, injection molding, machining, casting, printing, and/or other forming process.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, attachment member 190 also includes an adapter 192 configured to facilitate the connection of a drapery pin 210 to ring 130 in multiple angular orientations so as to facilitate the attachment of both a pinch pleat drapery 74 to ring 130 as well as a ripplefold drapery 72 to ring 130. In the arrangement shown, as one example, adapter 192 configured to fit over and attach to loop member 208. More specifically, adapter 192 includes an opening 194 configured to receive loop member 208. In this example arrangement, adapter 192 also includes one or more snap features 195 configured to engage and operably connect with loop member 208 when inserted in opening 194.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, the forward side 200 and rearward side 202 of adapter 192 define generally planar surfaces that extend in approximate parallel planar spaced relation to one another. In the arrangement shown, as one example, forward side 200 and rearward side 202 of attachment member 190 extend in approximate perpendicular planar alignment to the opposing sides 206 of attachment member 190.

In the arrangement shown, as one example, the lower side 204 of adapter 192 defines a generally planar surface that extends in approximate perpendicular planar relation to the forward side 200, and rearward side 202 of adapter 192. In the arrangement shown, as one example, the lower side 204 of adapter 192 defines a generally planar surface that extends in approximate perpendicular planar relation to the opposing sides 200/202 of adapter 192.

In this way, the combination and arrangement of the forward side 200, rearward side 202 opposing sides 206 and lower side 204 of adapter 192 form a generally square or rectangular member that receives and connects to loop member 208 and extends downward a distance therefrom. However, any other size, shape and configuration is hereby contemplated for use as adapter 192. From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that the drapery system 10 and related methods of use, presented herein improves upon the state of the art. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without parting from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby. 

What is claimed:
 1. A drapery system, comprising; a ring; the ring having an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end, and opposing sides; the ring having an exterior surface and an interior surface; the ring forming a hollow interior; when viewed from one of the opposing sides, the ring having a generally oval shape that is elongated between the upper end and the lower end; and the interior surface having a first diameter at the upper end and having a second diameter at the lower end, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter; a drapery support rod; the drapery support rod having an exterior surface; wherein the exterior surface of the drapery support rod is generally cylindrical in shape; wherein the exterior surface of the drapery support rod has an exterior diameter corresponding in size with the first diameter of the ring; and wherein when the drapery support rod is rotated, the ring slides along the exterior surface of the rotating drapery support rod.
 2. The drapery system of claim 1, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; wherein the interior member is configured to fit around the drapery support rod; wherein the interior member is configured to fit within the exterior member.
 3. The drapery system of claim 1, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; wherein the interior member is configured to fit around the drapery support rod; wherein the interior member is configured to fit within the exterior member; the exterior member has an interior surface and an exterior surface; the interior member has an interior surface and an exterior surface; the exterior surface of the exterior member forms the exterior surface of the ring; the interior surface of the interior member forms the interior surface of the ring; and the interior surface of the exterior member is operably connected to the exterior surface of the interior member.
 4. The drapery system of claim 1, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; the exterior member is formed from a first material; and the interior member is formed from a second material different from the first material.
 5. The drapery system of claim 1, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; the exterior member is formed from a first material; and the interior member is formed from a second material different from the first material wherein the second material is self-lubricating.
 6. The drapery system of claim 1, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; the exterior member and drapery support rod are formed from a first material; and the interior member is formed from a second material different from the first material.
 7. The drapery system of claim 1, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; the exterior member is formed from a first material; and the interior member is formed from a second material different from the first material the first material is a metal and the second material is a plastic.
 8. The drapery system of claim 1, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; the exterior member is formed from a first material; and the interior member is formed from a second material different from the first material the first material is a metal and the second material is a non-metallic material.
 9. The drapery system of claim 1, further comprising: the ring having an attachment member; the attachment member configured and arranged for connecting to an upper edge of a shade material.
 10. The drapery system of claim 1, wherein: the ring includes an attachment member; the attachment member includes a loop member configured and arranged for connecting to a drapery pin.
 11. The drapery system of claim 1, wherein: the ring includes an attachment member; the attachment member includes a loop member configured and arranged for connecting to a drapery pin; the ring includes an attachment member; the attachment member includes an adapter member configured to operably connect with the loop member.
 12. The drapery system of claim 1, wherein the ring has an attachment member; the attachment member has a left channel and a right channel; the left channel and right channel configured to receive a drapery pin; wherein when the drapery pin is positioned within the left channel the drapery pin is held in a generally left-angled alignment to the center axis of the ring; wherein when the drapery pin is positioned within the right channel the drapery pin is held in a generally right-angled alignment to the center axis of the ring.
 13. The drapery system of claim 1, further comprising: the ring having an attachment member; the attachment member having a left channel and a right channel; the left channel and right channel configured to receive a drapery pin; wherein when the drapery pin is positioned within the left channel the drapery pin is held in a generally left-angled alignment to the center axis of the ring; wherein when the drapery pin is positioned within the right channel the drapery pin is held in a generally right-angled alignment to the center axis of the ring; the left-angled alignment is approximately forty-five degrees from a perpendicular alignment.
 14. The drapery system of claim 1, further comprising: the ring having an attachment member; the attachment member having a left channel and a right channel; the left channel and right channel configured to receive a drapery pin; wherein when the drapery pin is positioned within the left channel the drapery pin is held in a generally left-angled alignment to the center axis of the ring; wherein when the drapery pin is positioned within the right channel the drapery pin is held in a generally right-angled alignment to the center axis of the ring; wherein the right-angled alignment is approximately forty-five degrees from a perpendicular alignment.
 15. The drapery system of claim 1, further comprising a connection member connected to the ring, the connection member configured to receive a lead that is configured to space the ring from adjacent rings.
 16. The drapery system of claim 1, wherein: the drapery support rod includes a helical guide structure on the exterior surface of the drapery support rod; the interior surface of the ring includes one or more guide members configured to engage with the helical guide structure in a manner causing the ring to move a shade material laterally to a closed position in response to rotation of the drapery support rod in a first direction; and move the shade material lateral to an open position in response to rotation of the drapery support rod in a second direction.
 17. The drapery system of claim 1, further comprising: the drapery support rod includes a helical guide structure on the exterior surface of the drapery support rod; the interior surface of the ring includes at least one tooth that extends from the interior surface of the ring and engages the helical guide structure of the exterior surface of the drapery support rod.
 18. A drapery system, comprising; a ring; the ring having an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end, and opposing sides; the ring having an exterior surface and an interior surface; the ring forming a hollow interior; a drapery support rod; the drapery support rod having a generally cylindrical exterior surface; the drapery support rod includes a helical guide structure on the exterior surface of the drapery support rod; wherein the interior surface of the ring includes at least one tooth that extends from the interior surface of the ring and engages the helical guide structure of the exterior surface of the drapery support rod; wherein when the drapery support rod is rotated, the ring slides along the exterior surface of the rotating drapery support rod; a connection member connected to the ring; wherein the connection member configured to receive a lead that is configured to space the ring from adjacent rings at spaced intervals.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the lead is a beaded chain having a plurality of beads spaced at intervals.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the lead is a beaded chain, and the connection member is capable of connecting with leads having beads of varying sizes.
 21. The system of claim 18, wherein the ring, when viewed from one of the opposing sides, has a non-circular shape that is elongated between the upper end and the lower end; and the non-circular shape having a first diameter at the upper end and having a second diameter at the lower end, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter; the drapery support rod having an exterior diameter corresponding in size with the first diameter of the ring.
 22. The system of claim 18, wherein the connection member is formed of a flexible arm extending from a lower end to an upper end; wherein the lower end of the flexible arm is operably connected to the ring; wherein a gap is positioned between the flexible arm and the ring; wherein the gap widens as the flexible arm extends from the lower end to the upper end of the flexible arm.
 23. The system of claim 18, wherein the connection member is formed of a flexible arm extending from a lower end to an upper end; wherein the lower end of the flexible arm is operably connected to the ring; wherein a gap is positioned between the flexible arm and the ring; a plurality of recesses positioned in the gap, wherein the recesses are configured to receive and hold the lead.
 24. The system of claim 18, wherein the connection member is formed of a flexible arm extending from a lower end to an upper end; wherein the lower end of the flexible arm is operably connected to the ring; wherein a gap is positioned between the flexible arm and the ring; a plurality of recesses positioned in the gap, wherein the recesses are configured to receive and hold beads of the lead.
 25. A drapery system, comprising; a ring; the ring having an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end, and opposing sides; the ring having an exterior surface and an interior surface; the ring forming a hollow interior; a drapery support rod; wherein the ring is positioned around the drapery support rod; wherein the ring slides along the exterior surface of the drapery support rod; a connection member connected to the ring; wherein the connection member is a hook; wherein the connection member is configured to receive a lead that is configured to space the ring from adjacent rings at spaced intervals.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the lead is a beaded chain.
 27. The system of claim 25, wherein the lead is a beaded chain having a plurality of beads spaced at intervals.
 28. The system of claim 25, wherein the lead is a beaded chain, and the connection member is capable of connecting with leads having beads of varying sizes.
 29. The system of claim 25, wherein the drapery support rod includes a helical guide structure on the exterior surface of the drapery support rod; wherein the interior surface of the ring includes at least one tooth that extends from the interior surface of the ring and engages the helical guide structure of the exterior surface of the drapery support rod; wherein when the drapery support rod is rotated, the ring slides along the exterior surface of the rotating drapery support rod.
 30. The system of claim 25, wherein the ring, when viewed from one of the opposing sides, has a non-circular shape that is elongated between the upper end and the lower end; and the non-circular shape having a first diameter at the upper end and having a second diameter at the lower end, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter; the drapery support rod having an exterior diameter corresponding in size with the first diameter of the ring.
 31. The system of claim 25, wherein the connection member includes a flexible arm extending from a lower end to an upper end; wherein the lower end of the flexible arm is operably connected to the ring; wherein a gap is positioned between the flexible arm and the ring; wherein the gap widens as the flexible arm extends from the lower end to the upper end of the flexible arm.
 32. The system of claim 25, wherein the connection member includes a flexible arm extending from a lower end to an upper end; wherein the lower end of the flexible arm is operably connected to the ring; wherein a gap is positioned between the flexible arm and the ring; a plurality of recesses positioned in the gap, wherein the recesses are configured to receive and hold the lead.
 33. The system of claim 25, further comprising: a second ring; wherein the second ring is positioned around the drapery support rod adjacent to the first-mentioned ring; a second connection member connected to the second ring; wherein the second connection member is a hook; wherein the second connection member configured to receive the lead; wherein the lead restricts the maximum distance between the first-mentioned ring and the second ring on the drapery support rod.
 34. A drapery system, comprising; a drapery support rod extending a length between opposing ends; a plurality of rings positioned around the drapery support rod, the plurality of rings having a connection member formed of a flexible arm extending from a lower end to an upper end that forms a gap that is configured to receive and hold onto a lead positioned within the gap thereby setting the maximum distance between adjacent rings.
 35. The drapery system of claim 34, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; wherein the interior member is configured to fit around the drapery support rod; wherein the interior member is configured to fit within the exterior member.
 36. The drapery system of claim 34, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; wherein the interior member is configured to fit around the drapery support rod; wherein the interior member is configured to fit within the exterior member; the exterior member has an interior surface and an exterior surface; the interior member has an interior surface and an exterior surface; the exterior surface of the exterior member forms the exterior surface of the ring; the interior surface of the interior member forms the interior surface of the ring; and the interior surface of the exterior member is operably connected to the exterior surface of the interior member.
 37. The drapery system of claim 34, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; the exterior member is formed from a first material; and the interior member is formed from a second material different from the first material.
 38. The drapery system of claim 34, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; the exterior member is formed from a first material; and the interior member is formed from a second material different from the first material wherein the second material is self-lubricating.
 39. The drapery system of claim 34, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; the exterior member and drapery support rod are formed from a first material; and the interior member is formed from a second material different from the first material.
 40. The drapery system of claim 34, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; the exterior member is formed from a first material; and the interior member is formed from a second material different from the first material the first material is a metal and the second material is a plastic.
 41. The drapery system of claim 34, wherein the ring includes: an exterior member; and an interior member; the exterior member is formed from a first material; and the interior member is formed from a second material different from the first material the first material is a metal and the second material is a non-metallic material.
 42. The drapery system of claim 34, further comprising: the ring having an attachment member; the attachment member configured and arranged for connecting to an upper edge of a shade material.
 43. The drapery system of claim 34, wherein: the ring includes an attachment member; the attachment member includes a loop member configured and arranged for connecting to a drapery pin.
 44. The drapery system of claim 34, wherein: the ring includes an attachment member; the attachment member includes a loop member configured and arranged for connecting to a drapery pin; the ring includes an attachment member; the attachment member includes an adapter member configured to operably connect with the loop member. 